Community Nursing

Support workers assist with daily living activities like personal care, meals, and household tasks. Community nurses are registered healthcare professionals (RNs) who provide clinical care such as wound management, medication administration, catheter care, health assessments, and management of complex medical conditions. Nurses have university qualifications and AHPRA registration, enabling them to perform medical procedures that support workers cannot.

Yes, community nursing can be funded through your NDIS plan under Core Supports, typically as High Intensity Daily Personal Activities or specific nursing care line items. The NDIS funds nursing services that relate to your disability support needs and help you achieve greater independence. Your plan must include this funding for you to access community nursing services.

The frequency of nursing visits depends on your individual health needs and NDIS plan budget. Some participants require daily visits for complex care, while others need weekly or fortnightly monitoring. During your initial assessment, our registered nurse will recommend an appropriate visit schedule based on your clinical needs, which can be adjusted over time as your condition changes.

We aim to provide consistency by assigning a primary nurse to your care whenever possible. This helps build a trusting relationship and ensures your nurse understands your health patterns and preferences. However, during leave periods or emergencies, a backup nurse from our team who is familiar with your care plan may attend. All our nurses are experienced professionals who maintain continuity through detailed clinical handover.

Have your medications available for review, keep a clean space for nursing procedures, prepare any questions or concerns you want to discuss, have relevant medical reports or recent test results accessible, and ensure any required supplies or equipment are available. Your nurse will guide you on specific preparations needed for your particular care requirements.

Registered nurses cannot independently prescribe medications in Australia. However, our nurses can administer medications as prescribed by your doctor, monitor medication effectiveness and side effects, identify medication-related issues and report to your GP, provide medication education, and liaise with your doctor regarding medication adjustments or concerns. Some nurses with additional qualifications may be able to administer medications under standing orders or protocols.

Our registered nurses are trained in emergency response and hold current CPR and first aid certification. In a medical emergency, the nurse will provide immediate care, call 000 if necessary, contact your emergency contacts and doctor, accompany you to the hospital if required, and document the incident thoroughly. Emergency response protocols are established as part of your initial care plan.

Our community nurses work collaboratively with your broader healthcare team. We communicate with your GP about health changes and concerns, liaise with specialists regarding treatment plans, coordinate with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals, attend care planning meetings when appropriate, and share relevant clinical information (with your consent) to ensure integrated care across all your health supports.